A child descended the Indian Stadium bleachers last Friday night, football and pen in hand, seeking an autograph from a specific Port Neches-Groves football player.

This particular senior began the season as the starting quarterback. After two games, he started splitting snaps with another signalcaller. Then last Friday against Lumberton, he was no longer the starter.

But A.J. Smith's past was hardly important to the little PN-G fan, who just watched the senior combine for four touchdowns - three rushing and one passing - in a 34-25 victory. Nor did any of that matter to Smith when sophomore starter Ky Walker broke his throwing hand in the first quarter of last Friday's game and Smith had to replace his replacement.

Smith, who has a scholarship offer from Lamar, didn't have time to let a rough start to the season weigh on his mind. He had no time to doubt his abilities after being moved from quarterback - the position he has played for most of his life.

And that's when it all clicked for the soft-spoken 6-5, 220-pound speedster. Smith stayed relaxed, didn't over-think the game and completed 10 of 14 passes for 115 yards, in addition to rushing for 95 yards on 15 attempts against the Raiders.

"That's the ultimate mindset," Smith said. "Only you decide how you do."